Unlike your typical college beat writers, we cover an entire conference. At the beginning of the season, we ask our staff to come up with cheat sheets for reference throughout the year. This helps refresh our fuzzy memories when we need to write about the teams we don’t follow as closely as our favs. This is a great help, and we decided to share them. These will be your one stop shop for things like the schedule, last season’s record, and things of that nature.

Akron Zips

• Head Coach: Terry Bowden
• Offensive Coordinator: A.J. Milwee
• Defensive Coordinator: Todd Stroud

2018 Schedule

• Sept. 1st @ Nebraska Cornhuskers
• Sept 8th Morgan State
• Sept. 15th @ Northwestern Wildcats
• Sept. 22nd @ Iowa State Fighting Matt Campbells
• Oct. 6th Miami RedHawks
• Oct 13th @ Buffalo Bulls
• Oct 20th @ Kent State Golden Flashes
• Oct 27th Central Michigan Chippewas
• Nov. 1st Northern Illinois Huskies
• Nov. 10th @ Eastern Michigan Eagles
• Nov. 17th Bowling Green Falcons
• Nov. 23rd @ Ohio Bobcats

2017 Record and Team Stats

7-7 Overall Record, 6-2 in the MAC. Won East Division and lost in MAC Championship Game to Toledo Rockets and to the Florida Atlantic Owls in the Boca Raton Bowl.

Offense Per Game:

Points 22.1, Yards 313.6, Rushing Yards 102.9, Passing Yards 210.6

Defense Per Game:

Points 28.0, Yards 463.2, Rushing Yards 225.8, Passing Yards 237.4

Notable Players

Ulysees Gilbert III, Sr. Linebacker: This linebacker is one of the better players in the MAC, and will likely play on Sundays.

Kwadarrius Smith, Sr. Wide Receiver: A flat burner that can extend defenses with a good QB, which brings us to our next player...

Kato Nelson, Soph, Quarterback: Inconsistent last season, his game against Ohio was one of the most notable performances in Akron’s history. Without it, they don’t win the division.

Kyron Brown, Sr. Corner Back: One of 35 players on the Jim Thorpe watch list, an award for the nation’s best defensive back. Was also named defensive weight room MVP in the spring.

Overview

The Zips look to take a step or two back from their division championship of last season, however there are some talented players and an up and coming quarterback that could make this team interesting. On offense, the play of QB Nelson will be a big indication of how the season goes. If he gets more consistent, he can stretch defenses with a player like Smith, and open up some running room. On defense, they have a good back 7, which can make plays and cause turnovers. Sports reflect life, and life is a gamble of odds and probability. This particular team is all over the place, based on a variety of factors. Expect unlikely wins and heartbreaking losses.